Fabric, part 1

 

Of late, I've been extensively thinking about textures in compositions and harmonic structures.  I sometimes think about harmony in rather abstract terms.  Instead of thinking in chords, I might think in harmonic structures or other more vertical terminology and concepts.  Instead of keys or harmonic centers, I think of textures.  Sometimes colors.

Many times, I'll think about counterpoint in terms of harmonic structure instead of single lines.  In other words, instead of thinking about counterpoint or polytonality as two or more simultaneous lines or threads, I'm starting to think of counterpoint and/or polytonality in terms of two or more sets of simultaneous harmonic structures and not single lines at all.

Blocks and not linear sketches.  3D shapes instead of drawn lines.

 

As my conceptions of these elements expands, I realize that my vocabulary for them isn't adequate and also needs to expand.  If I can mentally or verbally catalog or describe certain concepts, they seem more available and tangible.  I was trying to think of a term to describe this counterpoint of harmonic structure, and the word fabric materialized.

Literally, a warp and weft of disparate and/or related harmonic structures.

I think that fabric may be an accurate term to describe or define the concept of counterpoint of harmonic structure.  Just having that term at hand seems to remove mental blocks and open previously unknown paths.

More to come.

-kk